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Technical Writers Work in

Technical Writing I

ENG 131Introduction(Dr. Elizabeth Lohman)

Definition of Technical Writing

Technical Writing conveys easy access to information:• Accessing specific information.

Clearly identify headings.Clearly identify sub markers.

• Accessing clear information.Not have time to interpret meaning.Needs immediately to grasp meaning.

• Words, Phrases, and Sentence StructureStraightforwardUncomplicated

• We need to ascertain the amount of funding for next year’s budget,” We need to determine the amount of funding

needed.Find out how much funding was allotted.“We need to determine how much money we

will need next year.” We need to find out how much money we

have in next year’s budget.”

• Using language specific to a particular trade or profession is acceptable and necessary.

ifThe message is intended for the members of that

particular group.

if The message is intended for individuals outside of

the group, plain language.

Case in Point

A customer using an industrial solution, XYZ, to keep the drains in his home clean, wrote to the company who sold the solution to let them know how great their product was.

The company wrote back:

Thank you for writing. The product XYZ has a high vitriolic base. This sulfuric property is excellent for industrial plumbing. We have several solutions for cleaning residential drains. You may want to consider using some of our other excellent products.

The customer promptly replied:

I agree, product XYZ is excellent for keeping the drains in my home clean. I think it is clear that XYZ is the only solution I need to keep using.

With this, the company sent the customer a short, clear two sentence reply:

Do not use product XYZ. Misuse of XYZ will destroy residential plumbing.

Differences Between Academic Writing and Technical Writing

In this section we will discuss the three major components of written communication:

• Purpose,

• Format,

• Language.

Communication Structure:Shape of Composition

Academic Writing

Communication Triangle

Topic

Text

Sender Receiver

Technical Writing

Communication Rectangle

Topic Reader

Text

Sender Receiver

Academic Writing

Communication Triangle

Topic Text

Sender Receiver

Academic Writing has a receiver, but

•may have a reader or •may not have a reader.

Technical Writing

Communication Rectangle Topic Reader

Text

Sender Receiver

Technical Writing will always have a reader.

•the primary reader

the person who ordered the report

PurposeAcademic Writing

EntertainPersuadeinform

No Definite purpose

• Poem• Story

Definite purpose

•Article•Book•Assignment

Technical Writing

Inform Persuade •Research

Definite Purpose

Supervisor: Order a report

Employee: Write a report

•Needed

Read for Information

FormatAcademic Writing

Paragraphs•Topic Sentences

Pictures

Technical Writing

Major HeadingsSub HeadersMarkers •Bullets•Underlings•Bold typeWhite Space.

Illustrations•Graphs •Tables•Pictures•Drawings

LanguageAcademic Writing

Words•Elaborate •Transitions•Subjective •Cogitative •Multiple meaning Sentence Structure•Complex•Embellishment•Excessive words •Synonyms•Passive voice

Technical Writing

Words•Active vocabularyPlain Easily understood •Objective•Non-sexist•Avoid pronouns Sentence Structure•Uncomplicated•Repetition•Active voice

Conclusion • This presentation included an extended definition of Technical Writing, expressing

the need for easy access to information, and briefly defined the differences between Academic Writing and Technical Writing, according to purpose, format and language.

• Think about the significance of a technical writer communicating in clear straightforward vocabulary and sentence structure to convey information.

• Remember; if the intended reader is not able to quickly understand the message or misinterprets the information, the writer failed; the purpose of the message was lost.

• Click on screen to end the presentation.

Celebrate

References

The references for the “The Definition of Technical Writing and the Differences Between Academic Writing and Technical Writing,” PowerPoint Presentation came from sources used over the last 14 years of my studying and teaching Technical Writing.

“The Definition of Technical Writing and the Differences Between Academic Writing and Technical Writing,” PowerPoint Presentation is the sole property of Dr. Elizabeth Lohman. This PowerPoint presentation cannot be copied or duplicated in any way or presented in any way without the written consent of Dr. Elizabeth Lohman.

Contact Dr. Elizabeth Lohman at Tidewater Community College (757-822-2539).